barack obama came into office promising to lead a turnaround. but economy growth has been sluggish. still, he leads in a number of polls, but only just. >> the only way to meet governor romney's pledge of not reducing the deficit, or not adding to the deficit, is by burdening middle-class families. now, that's not my analysis. >> reporter: mitt romney has tried to make the case that his business experience prepares him to lead a recovery. but his support slipped after he was caught on video making dismissive remarks about almost half the american electorate. he said his job is not to worry about the 47% of them who pay no income taxes and are dependent on government. so romney went on the offensive. >> the president has a view very similar to the view he had when he ran four years ago, that a bigger government, spending more, taxing more, regulating more, if you will, trickle-down government, would work. that's not the right answer for america. >> reporter: veteran journalist jim lehrer moderated the debate. he focused most of his questions on the economy. obama criticized what he c